Numerical simulation of ice growth on a MS-317 swept wing geometry

An effort to develop a 3-D ice accretion modeling method was initiated. This first step towards creation of a complete aircraft icing simulation code builds on previously developed methods for calculating 3-D flow fields and particle trajectories combined with a 2-D ice accretion calculation along coordinate locations corresponding to streamlines. The types of calculations necessary to predict 3-D ice accretion is demonstrated. Results of calculations using 3-D method for a MS-317 swept wing geometry are projected onto a 2-D plane parallel to the free stream direction and compared to experimental results for the same geometry. It is anticipated that many modifications will be made to this approach, however this effort will lay the groundwork for future modeling efforts. Results indicate that rime ice shapes indicate a difficulty in accurately calculating the ice shape in the runback region

Maternally sequestered therapeutic polypeptides – a new approach for the management of preeclampsia

The last several decades have seen intensive research into the molecular mechanisms underlying the symptoms of preeclampsia. While the underlying cause of preeclampsia is believed to be defective placental development and resulting placental ischemia, it is only recently that the links between the ischemic placenta and maternal symptomatic manifestation have been elucidated. Several different pathways have been implicated in the development of the disorder; most notably production of the anti-angiogenic protein sFlt-1, induction of auto-immunity and inflammation, and production of reactive oxygen species. While the molecular mechanisms are becoming clearer, translating that knowledge into effective therapeutics has proven elusive. Here we describe a number of peptide based therapies we have developed to target theses pathways, and which are currently being tested in preclinical models. These therapeutics are based on a synthetic polymeric carrier elastin-like polypeptide (ELP), which can be synthesized in various sequences and sizes to stabilize the therapeutic peptide and avoid crossing the placental interface. This prevents fetal exposure and potential developmental effects. The therapeutics designed will target known pathogenic pathways, and the ELP carrier could prove to be a versatile delivery system for administration of a variety of therapeutics during pregnancy

Experimental and Theoretical Evidence for Nitrogen-Fluorine Halogen Bonding in Silver-Initiated Radical Fluorinations

We report experimental and computational evidence for nitrogen–fluorine halogen bonding in Ag­(I)-initiated radical C–H fluorinations. Simple pyridines form [N–F–N]+ halogen bonds with Selectfluor to facilitate single-electron reduction by catalytic Ag­(I). Pyridine electronics affect the extent of halogen bonding, leading to significant differences in selectivity between mono- and difluorinated products. Electronic structure calculations show that halogen bonding to various pyridines alters the single-electron reduction potential of Selectfluor, which is consistent with experimental electrochemical analysis. Multinuclear correlation NMR also provides spectroscopic evidence for pyridine halogen bonding to Selectfluor under ambient conditions

Amorphous alloys formed by microsecond current pulses

We report the use of microsecond current pulses to transform layered crystalline nickel‐zirconium films to amorphous alloy. Starting material was electron beam deposited multilayers with a composition modulation wavelength of 34 nm, an average composition of Ni63Zr37, and a total thickness of 680 nm. Electrical pulses were approximately rectangular and about 3 μs in duration, with an intensity of several hundred amperes, directly coupling 1.6 to 3 J of energy uniformly into the film. By monitoring current and voltage, the reaction and melting of the sample were observed, and the total energy of the pulse was easily computed. A sharp threshold in pulse energy for sample transformation was observed. A simple heat flow calculation demonstrated that the chemical energy released by the reaction, and the change in diffusion kinetics as the sample temperature exceeded the glass transition temperature of the amorphous alloy, are responsible for this sudden onset. The maximum temperature estimated from this calculation is below the melting point of the constituents, and the cooling rate is 107–108 K/s which is in agreement with the formation of amorphous alloy.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/69645/2/APPLAB-50-9-495-1.pd

Evaluation of the Sustainability of an Intervention to Increase HIV Testing

BACKGROUND Sustainability—the routinization and institutionalization of processes that improve the quality of healthcare—is difficult to achieve and not often studied. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the sustainability of increased rates of HIV testing after implementation of a multi-component intervention in two Veterans Health Administration healthcare systems. DESIGN Quasi-experimental implementation study in which the effect of transferring responsibility to conduct the provider education component of the intervention from research to operational staff was assessed. PATIENTS Persons receiving healthcare between 2005 and 2006 (intervention year) and 2006 and 2007 (sustainability year). MEASUREMENTS Monthly HIV testing rate, stratified by frequency of clinic visits RESULTS The monthly adjusted testing rate increased from 2% at baseline to 6% at the end intervention year and then declined reaching 4% at the end of the sustainability year. However, the stratified, visit-specific testing rate for persons newly exposed to the intervention (i.e., having their first through third visits during the study period) increased throughout the intervention and sustainability years. Increases in the proportion of visits by patients who remained untested despite multiple, prior exposures to the intervention accounted for the aggregate attenuation of testing during the sustainability year. Overall, the percentage of patients who received an HIV test in the sustainability year was 11.6%, in the intervention year 11.1%, and in the pre-intervention year 5.0% CONCLUSIONS Provider education combined with informatics and organizational support had a sustainable effect on HIV testing rates. The effect was most pronounced during patients' early contacts with the healthcare system.Health Services Research & Development Service (SDP 06–001